Brothers admit killing woman in front of kids

April 21, 2010

Shortly before testimony was to begin in his trial, a reputed gang member and his brother pleaded guilty to the 2006 murder of a mother who was struck by a stray bullet in the Pilsen neighborhood in front of two of her children.

Alberto Colin, 26, was a reputed Satan Disciples member when he jumped out of a van and fired at a rival Bishops gang member in the 1800 block of South Wood Street.

The bullet instead struck Helen Coronado, 29, a mother of five, in the head as she was walking home from the grocery store with two of her children.

Prosecutors said Colin acted in retaliation because earlier that day several members of the Bishop gang humiliated him by slapping him in the face in front of his mother. Colin's brother brother David, 28, drove him around looking for the rival gang members.

After Colin pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, Judge Timothy Joyce sentenced him to 53 years in prison. David Colin, who also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Both must serve their sentences in their entirety.

In exchange, prosecutors dropped more than a dozen other felony charges against Alberto Colin as well as two 2009 charges for possessing a homemade knife in jail while awaiting trial.

The plea deal came just minutes before a jury was scheduled to hear opening statements in Alberto Colin's case. A jury had already been selected.

Coronado's family said they were pleased with the outcome.

"Fifty three years is a long time to serve in the penitentiary," said the victim's brother, Victor Coronado. "She (Helen Coronado) was the baby of the family, a happy-go lucky girl who was doing what she wanted to do. For her to be struck down by this senseless act of violence, it's unreal."

Another co-defendant Fernando Ojeda, 22, is still awaiting trial. Ojeda provided the weapon used in the shooting, prosecutors allege.